Two journalists awarded

Gandaki, March 17: Two journalists from Pokhara have been awarded with the Democracy Fighter Daya Shankar Palikhe Memorial Journalism Honour. The Honour is instituted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Kaski chapter.     

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' handed over the award carrying a purse of Rs 101,111 to journalist Deependra Shrestha. On occasion, PM Prachanda presented a shawl to Shrestha as a mark of honour.     

Similarly, journalist Tribhuvan Poudel has been honoured posthumously. PM Prachanda presented the award carrying a purse of Rs 101,111 and a shawl to the family of the late Poudel.     

Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister said that the two awarded journalists have made a significant contribution to the Nepali journalism and social sector.     

He asserted that the government is always committed to upholding democracy and press freedom. "The present government is committed to fully guaranteeing the freedom of thought and expression, the right to information and free press as well as to ensuring legal and practical exercise of these tenets by building the necessary structures and prerequisites," he added.     

Stating that an inclusive democratic information and communication policy aimed at increasing the access of people of all classes, regions, castes and linguistic communities to the mass communication media is the government's priority, PM Prachanda said the government has the policy of giving protection to the media recognizing it as a national service industry.     

FNJ Chairperson Bipul Pokharel said that the government should not delay the formulation of the media laws. Stating that the media sector is not in the State's priority, he rued that the FNJ's repeated demand for the formation of the Mass Communication Academy has not yet been heard by the government.     

FNJ Kaski chapter president Bimala Bhandari said the Democracy Fighter Daya Shankar Palikhe Memorial Journalism Honour Trust was set up in 2052 BS. The family of the late Daya Shankar Palikhe instituted the revolving fund for the Trust in honour of the freedom fighter of Pokhara.     

Journalist Shrestha who was awarded the Honour in 2079 is the former president of FNJ Kaski chapter and the Executive Director of Everest FM.     

Similarly, the late Poudel, who is awarded the Honour for 2080 BS, was the founding president FNJ Gandaki Province Committee. Poudel was killed in a plane crash last year while serving as the FNJ central committee member. (RSS)